Tamsin O'Brien, Author at The Stray Ferret

Harrogate man ‘running the date’ of the month each day for mental health fund

A man from Harrogate is ‘running the date’ with an extra mile everyday to raise money for fund set up in memory of his close friend.

Darren West, from Bilton, started with one mile on September 1 and will build up to running 30 miles on the last day of the month.

He is fundraising for the Alastair Mackenzie Fund, set up by his wife Christina after Alastair took his own life.

The fund works with local groups to ‘raise awareness of suicide prevention and improve the mental health resources available to those in need.’

Mr West and Alastair Mackenzie started as work colleagues but became good friends. When Alastair died, he said it was “absolutely devastating.”

Mr West first saw the idea for the challenge on social media.

After having taken a break from running, he thought it would be able to get back into the sport. He said:

“I thought, that’d be doable. I’d quite fancy that.”

Initially going to run for fun, Christina Mackenzie asked if he would do it to raise money for the fund.

She is managing the fundraising whilst Mr West focuses on the challenge.

Work and the school run means that Mr West usually has to run in the early hours of the morning.

However, he says that he does not mind it:

“I don’t really get much of a chance in the day to run so I actually run on a morning. I’m not a very good sleeper so my running time normally varies between 1am in the morning and 6am.”

He manages to get some sleep back through power naps during the day.

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic roundup

Here is your traffic and travel update for Monday September 12 – sponsored by HACs.

Road :

Ripon Road – multi-way lights in the New Park area of Harrogate as Yorkshire Water carries out essential work this week.

Oakdale and Kent Road in the Duchy – road closures and diversions in this area from today until September 23 for gas main replacement work.

Just outside the district Sutton Bank on the A170 between Helmsley and Thirsk is set to undergo an extensive maintenance programme.

Due to the scale of the scheme, a full road closure will be in place from until 7pm on Sunday, 2 October.

Bus Cancellations

The following bus services are cancelled today – go to the transdev website for updates

The 1A
Aspin to Harrogate 8.06am

The 1C
Carmires to Starbeck 9.16am
Carimires to Harrogate 6.59am
Harrogate to Carmires 8.51am

#The 7
Weatherby to Harrogate 6.50am
Harrogate to Leeds 7.25am
Leeds to Harrogate 9.25am

#The36
Starbeck to Leeds 6.23am
Leeds to Harrogate 7.40am, 8.55am, 9.55am, 10.25am, 11.55am
Harrogate to Leeds 7.35am, 9am, 9.25am, 10.55am

Rail

Rail services are running to time this morning on the Harrogate line. Check for further updates with Northern Rail.

Planned strike action for the 15 and 17 September has been suspended due to the death of Her Majesty the Queen.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate business announces first Chinese Board of Directors

Belzona which manufactures polymeric repair and protection systems and has a base on Claro road in Harrogate, has announced the appointments of Charli Yu Walton as Corporate Development Director (China) and Fred Lu as Technical Director (China).

The appointments follow the creation of Belzona Molecular Technology (Nanjing) Ltd in 2019 and mark a significant next step in the company’s international expansion strategy.

Mrs Walton originally from Harbin, China, joined the company’s Harrogate-based marketing team in 2011. She will be responsible for creating and implementing marketing strategies to consolidate and accelerate Belzona’s growth plans in China.

Speaking of her new appointment, Mrs Walton said:

“I am delighted and proud to be appointed to the first Board of Directors of Belzona’s new Chinese company. China has, for many years, been a significant market for Belzona and the formation of the new company demonstrates Belzona’s commitment to growth in the region.

“Through our great brands, products, and distributorships, we bring cutting-edge solutions to our customers in China. We have set an exciting growth agenda for our brands, where innovation, digital marketing excellence, sustainability and collaboration play a crucial role.”

Mr Lu will continue to lead Chinese business from the technical perspective and will head up the development of Belzona’s training programme and technical service support in the region.

He said:

“I am proud to be a member of the Belzona family and am honoured to take on this new role. Belzona has unrivalled experience and expertise globally. Our new Company is a technical hub, providing extensive and customised training programmes to our Distributors and customers in China.

I will keep working hard and do my best to ensure that we achieve our goals and fulfil our great potential in the Chinese market.”

Belzona’s technical support centres based in Harrogate (UK), Miami (USA), Chonburi (Thailand), Ontario (Canada), and now Jiangsu, provide a worldwide presence, enabling the organisation to support its customer and distributor network.

Knaresborough Business Park goes carbon negative

Rabbit Hill Business Park in Knaresborough has announced that it is now a carbon negative business.

The park has been mapping its carbon footprint to develop and improve its carbon reduction strategy and has been working with Mark Thwaite from CarbonNow on an audit.

The report highlighted:

“Rabbit Hill has already made great strides to reduce their carbon footprint, for example using solar panels. Our report reflects the excellent work that they have done and acts as a benchmark so that they can continue to set their fine example as a beacon for other low carbon businesses.

“Rabbit Hill has also invested in sources that contribute to offsetting carbon. They have a solar panel grid on their premises from which they sell generated electricity back to the grid and onto their clients. They also have a very well landscaped site, with trees and hedges that contribute to carbon sequestration.”

Richard Kay, MD of Rabbit Hill Park, said:

“Working with Mark has been very inciteful. We now have several strategies to help reduce our carbon footprint even further, which we will implement over the next 12 months. I would recommend the services of Mark’s team at www.carbonnow.co.uk and get your carbon mapping journey started.”

Column: I discovered the close personal interest Charles takes in those charities he is involved with

This column is written for the Stray Ferret by the Chair of The Royal Hall Restoration Trust, Russell M Davidson.

There is huge national grief at the passing of a much loved Queen, yet as the mourning period gradually passes, thoughts will increasingly turn to her successor.

The Royal Hall Restoration Trust has been privileged to have the new King, in his capacity of Prince of Wales, as its patron for some fifteen years. I had twice met the Prince before I got involved in the trust, but those meetings were at formal events and while he was affable and friendly, I had no knowledge about Charles beyond the ups and downs one reads in the press, including the negative stuff following the death of Diana.

It was not until I met Charles again, with my predecessor, the late Lilian Mina, at the 2008 reopening of the refurbished Royal Hall that I first saw the kindness of the man. Lilian was gravely ill and had difficulty standing and walking, yet the Prince never left her side, helping her up and down stairs, while constantly letting her hold onto his arm for support. I succeeded as Chair of the trust after Lilian’s death and the trustees set about a range of further projects. I discovered the close personal interest Charles takes in those charities he is involved with.

It is not just a case of having a grand name on the notepaper – in contrast, regular contact is maintained with each charity via the private secretaries. The relationship is very much a ‘How can we help you?’ one. When the trust needed assistance developing a future project for the rear of the Royal Hall, we sent our initial designs to the Prince and were immediately invited to visit his architectural foundation in London. We discovered an impressive set-up, housing a school training young woodworkers and designers (beautiful examples of work on display) and were greeted by a friendly American architect who had led the scheme to restore Dumfries House and who provided further expert help without charge. I learned from him that Charles personally, and regularly, reviews the work undertaken by each of his charities and draws on his extensive contacts to find ways of making useful introductions to assist.

He must work incredibly hard, for our trust is only one of many that he is patron of. We learned that the drawings and letters we sent, via the private secretaries, were actually looked at and discussed by him. Suggestions as to how to alter the presumably not so liked aspects of our designs were made so very tactfully too! And when we have asked for a visit to help with fundraising, there have always been efforts to find a diary slot, difficult though his schedule makes that. We have never had a ‘no’.

It is evident the new King cares passionately about our country, its community and the environment, both built and natural. I am confident, based on my personal experience of dealing with him as patron, that Charles will prove to be a good and kindly King.

Sunday services and books of condolence across the district

The district’s churches have been open with books of condolence for people to sign. Tomorrow prayers for Her Majesty The Queen, the new King and the Royal Family will be held across the district. Some parishes have changed their normal orders of service.

Sunday 11th September

Ripon Cathedral

The cathedral will be open throughout the day for people to sign the book of condolences and pray.

8am – Holy Communion

9.30am – Morning Prayer

10.30am – Eucharist with the Bishop of Ripon. The service will include prayers for Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III

3.30pm – Choral Evensong to mark the death of the sovereign Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Cathedral open until 7pm

A tribute to the Queen at St Peter's Church

A book of condolences has been opened at St Peter’s Church in Harrogate

Harrogate

St Peter’s Church

A book of condolences has been opened at St Peter’s Church on Cambridge Street in the town centre.

8.30am Holy Communion

9.30am Family Communion

11.00am Choral Matins

4.15pm Stepping Stones Service

6.30pm Choral Evensong

St John’s Church on Bilton Lane is open between 9am and 5pm today for “people to be quiet, reflect and pray as they remember and give thanks for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”

Knaresborough

St John’s Knaresborough:

Open daily for prayer with opportunity to sign the books of condolence and lighting of candles

8am Service of Communion -Book of Common Prayer with prayers for the Royal Family

10:30am Service of Holy Communion with prayers for The Royal Family

Holy Trinity

10:45 am service of Communion with prayers for the Royal Family

St Mary’s, Goldsborough

The church will be open each day between 9am and 4pm as a place of prayer and reflection, to light a candle and to sign the book of condolence.

Holy Communion with prayers for the Royal Family

St Paul and St Margaret’s Church, Nidd

10:30am Service of Holy Communion with prayers for the Royal Family

LIVE: Bells to toll at midday across the district to mark the Queen’s death

Pateley Bridge

A book of condolences has been open at St Cuthbert’s Church in Pateley Bridge.

Vicar Darryl Hall invited people to “feel free to light a candle and say a prayer.”

Prayer stations in Holy Trinity Dacre Banks, St Jude’s Hartwith, Christ Church Darley and St Saviour’s Thornthwaite have been set up where people can light a candle reflect, remember and pray.

Sunday Services:

9:30am Holy Communion at Holy Trinity, Dacre Banks

11am Holy Communion at St Saviour’s, Thornthwaite

6:30pm Holy Communion at Christ Church, Darley

Boroughbridge

St Andrew’s

A parish-wide service of commemoration and thanksgiving for the Queen will be held at St Andrew’s on Sunday, September 18 at 10am.

Roecliffe Church and St James’s

Both churches, as well as St Mary’s in Dunsforth and St Andrew’s in Aldborough, will remain open as much as possible during the week for people to visit and to sign books of condolence.

Masham

Healey, Masham North Stainley, Well with Snape and West Tanfield

There are changes to the services for 11 September to enable communities to pray and reflect on her life, reign and contribution to our nation and to pray for the new monarch, King Charles III and all the family.

8.00am Masham BCP Holy Communion
9.30am West Tanfield Simple service of Prayer and Reflection remembering her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
10.45am Masham Baptism
11.30am Masham Simple service of Prayer and Reflection remembering her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
10.45pm Snape Holy Communion
4.00pm Telephone Service
6.30pm Healey Evensong

LIVE: A day of mourning and respect for the Queen in the Harrogate district

Churches have opened their doors and put out books of condolence; flags across the Harrogate district were lowered to half mast and flowers laid as the district begins to mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

The 96-year-old Queen, who was the country’s longest-serving monarch, died yesterday at Balmoral.

This blog has followed the days events as they unfolded across the district:

4.00pm: Mourners lay flowers by Harrogate’s War Memorial

Around ten bouquets have been laid by mourners by the War Memorial in Harrogate.

3.15pm: Historic Harrogate hotel remembers Queen’s visit

DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel & Spa has posted a photo from the time Princess Elizabeth visited the hotel, four years before she became Queen.

Elizabeth and her husband Philip visited The Majestic for a banquet in 1949 on the same day they visited the Great Yorkshire Show.

They couple was greeted at the hotel by Mayor Mary Fisher. Following the event, the Princess and Duke made a balcony appearance, waving to the crowds on the Majestic grounds

Credit: DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel & Spa

2.30pm: Stonefall Cemetery tours cancelled

Commonwealth War Graves Commission has cancelled free Stonefall Cemetery tours that were set to take place tomorrow as well as on September 15, 17 and 18.

Around 200 people were booked on tours to learn about the men and women of the Commonwealth forces who are buried there.

However, as a mark of respect for Her Majesty, the events have been cancelled.

1.45pm: Businesses pay unique tributes to Queen

Harrogate district businesses are paying their unique tributes to Elizabeth II.

Everyman cinema on Station Parade has replaced its usual notices that tell cinemagoers what films it is showing with a single somber quote. It says:

“Every thank you will never be enough 1926 – 2022”

The Harrogate Tea Rooms in Westminster Arcade has baked some special cupcakes inspired by the former monarch.

https://twitter.com/HarrogateTeaRms/status/1568218656818987010?s=20&t=noSrMM1VvqgwIEwubizUIQ

1.00pm: Boroughbridge

St James church in Boroughbridge has joined other Anglican churches in the district in setting up a book of condolence for mourners to sign.

12.30pm: Church bells ring out for the Queen

The Stray Ferret had reporters at St Peter’s Church in Harrogate, St John’s Church in Knaresborough and Ripon Cathedral from 12pm.

Most of the country’s 16,000 churches haven’t rang bells muffled since the death of the Queen’s father in 1952.

Watch videos below of the bells ringing below:

Leather mufflers were attached to the bells at St John’s Church in Knaresborough so they can make the muffled sound

12.10pm: Earl of Harewood issues personal tribute

The Earl of Harewood David Lascelles has issued a personal statement that remembers his relative Elizabeth II.

His father, the late George Lascelles, was the Queen’s first cousin.

David Lascelles

The Earl’s tribute includes an anecdote of when the Queen visited Harewood in 2002 and watched Emmerdale being filmed.

The statement also highlight’s the Queen’s appreciation of Yorkshire’s different faiths and communities.

Mr Lascelles said:

“Queen Elizabeth was my first cousin once removed, Cousin Lilibet, the name she was called by all her family. Though we were related, I only really met her on formal occasions during my adult life, so have less personal memories of this remarkable woman. But I do remember the last time she was at Harewood, in July 2002 for her Golden Jubilee.

“It was a gloriously sunny day and the first stop was at the long-running TV soap opera Emmerdale, the village set for which is on the southern edge of Harewood Estate, where my wife Diane and I greeted her. The Queen met and shook hands with the cast and crew and watched the Post Office being set on fire, a stunt staged in her honour and not part of their regular storyline.

“The main event of the day was in front of Harewood House, where, accompanied by my father and step-mother, an hour long pageant was staged for her and for Prince Philip and an enthusiastic crowd. This was Yorkshire at it most culturally diverse: on a smaller scale, but not unlike the parades along the Mall for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022, still fresh in everyone’s memory.

“There was music from many different traditions and performers representing all Yorkshire’s different communities. There were spectacular costumes from Leeds’ West Indian Carnival, brass bands from the mining villages of South Yorkshire, Indian dancers from Bradford, operatic arias from Lesley Garrett and guest appearances from Mel B, Brian Close and Terry Venables (who had just been appointed as Leeds United’s new manager) on the steps of Harewood House.

“The Queen’s enjoyment was clear for all to see. These were the rich, mixed, varied, sometimes contradictory cultures of 21st century Britain, a Britain very different from the country she knew when she came to the throne in 1953 but one with which she continued to identify and one which she continued to represent with grace and with great dignity.

“The length of her reign and the many changes she witnessed during those years are unprecedented in our history. Her death is truly the end of an era, the end of the Second Elizabethan Age.”

11.45am: Harrogate’s Muslim community pays its respects

Whilst the district’s Anglican churches have led the tributes to Elizabeth II, Harrogate’s Muslim community has also paid its own respects.

Harrogate Islamic Association said:

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un (“To God we belong and to Him we return”)

We are united in sorrow for, by all measures, a remarkable woman https://t.co/rfL8HrYXIa

— Harrogate Islamic Association (@HarrogateIA) September 9, 2022

11.30am: Harrogate Town game called off

Harrogate Town’s game against Carlisle United tomorrow has been called off. It was due to kick off at 3pm at the EnviroVent Stadium but the English Football League has decided to postpone all fixtures as a mark of respect to Elizabeth II.

Leeds United’s game against Nottingham Forest on Monday night has also been postponed by the Premier League.

Saturday 10th September's fixture against Carlisle has been postponed as a mark of respect by the National Sport to the passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II https://t.co/KP3Cuyy5C8

— Harrogate Town AFC (@HarrogateTown) September 9, 2022

11.00am: Harry’s tours to focus on the Queen

Tour guide Harry Satloka will continue with his free Harrogate walking tours today with a special focus on Harrogate’s connection with Elizabeth II.

He said he will be wearing black as a mark of respect until after the funeral.

Harry Satloka this morning by the War Memorial

10.30am: St Peter’s Church plans special services

St Peter’s Church on Cambridge Road will be holding special services to remember the former Queen over the weekend.

The church’s bells will ring today from 12pm for one hour.

Vicar Alan Garrow said:

“The church will be open as a focal point for people to express their grief. For flowers we recommend people leave them at the garden of remembrance, which is on the Cambridge Street side of St Peter’s.

“We have eight bell ringers and they are going to ring all of the bells for the full one hour from 12pm.”

Mourners signing the book of remembrance at St Peter’s

10.15am: Flags at half-mast in Knaresborough

Knaresborough House. Credit: Charlotte Gale

The Union Flag is flying at half-mast outside Knaresborough House.

The town has proud links to the Royal family dating back centuries.

Knaresborough Castle is still owned by the Duchy of Lancaster Estate (although currently leased to Harrogate Borough Council).

It’s a former Royal summer residence and was also the administrative centre for the Forest of Knaresborough, an administrative area and royal hunting ground that covered 45 square miles.

The Mayor of Knaresborough Kathryn Davies said:

“For a lot of people in Knaresborough Queen Elizabeth II will be the only monarch they have known. The loss of her calm and constant presence in their lives will be felt keenly. They are not alone in their grief. As well as the rest of the United Kingdom, many across the world will also miss her greatly.

“When the news of her death was announced, I was with a party of Americans, Canadians, New Zealanders and Australians. Without exception they had been following her progress in the last few days and were immediate in their expressions of condolence and their own sense of loss.

“She was a great monarch who steered us through some exceptional times in the 20th and early 21st centuries. Good luck and best wishes to our new King Charles II. God save the King.”

10.00am: Betty’s closed until 11am

Betty’s Cafe Tea Rooms on Parliament Street is closed until 11am. A notice has been posted on the window that includes its own tribute to the former Queen.

9.30am: Yorkshire Agricultural Society pays tribute

Yorkshire Agricultural Society, the organisation that runs the Great Yorkshire Show, has issued its own tribute to Elizabeth II. She had long standing links to the show and visited four times as Queen (1949, 1957, 1977 and 2008).

The Queen at the Great Yorkshire Show in 1957. Credit: YAS

The statement said:

“We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty The Queen and send our sincere condolences to the Royal Family at this sad time.

“The Royal Family and Her Majesty The Queen have been an integral part of the Society’s heritage since it first formed in 1837.

“The Queen was the first female Patron of the Society and remained so for 45 years from 1952 to 1997. TRH Prince of Wales has been the Society’s Patron since 1998.

“Her Majesty first visited the Great Yorkshire Show in 1949, before becoming Queen, and went on to visit a number of times over the years before a final visit in 2008 with The Duke of Edinburgh. During the visit, The Queen unveiled a plaque to mark the start of the construction of Fodder and the adjoining Yorkshire Agricultural Society offices.

“The Society is honoured to have had the privilege of The Queen supporting the work it does for agriculture as both our Patron and as our guest.”

9am: RHS Harlow Carr remaining open today

The Royal Horticultural Society will be opening RHS Harlow Carr today but it will close on the day of the funeral, which has not yet been announced, as a mark of respect.

The RHS said in a statement:

“Her Majesty became Patron of the Society on accession to the throne in 1952. From an early age, The Queen regularly accompanied her parents to RHS Chelsea Flower Show, visiting the show more than 50 times during her reign, and always took great pleasure in touring the gardens and plant displays and speaking with exhibitors.

“We were extremely grateful and proud to have Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as our Patron and we are immensely saddened by yesterday’s news.”

8.45am: Bilton church opens book of condolence

St John’s Church on Bilton Lane is open until 5pm for people to pray and give thanks for the life of the former Queen. There will be candles to light and a book of condolence to sign.

8.25am: Pateley Bridge

We’ve been in Pateley Bridge this morning to see how the town has responded to the death of the Queen. Below is a picture of St Cuthbert Church with the St George’s flag flying at half-mast.

The police station and council offices:

8.10am: Ripon pays its respects

Reporter Tim Flanagan is in Ripon this morning where the Union Flag is flying at half mast over Ripon Town Hall.

The building is still decked in the banners put in place to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year. Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh visited the historic building in May 2004 when the city celebrated the 400th anniversary of the granting by James I of its Royal Charter.

Some 19 years earlier in April 1985, The Queen was at Ripon Cathedral for the Royal Maundy Service.

8am: Harrogate district MPs issue statements

Our three Conservative MPs, Andrew Jones, Julian Smith and Nigel Adams have all issued statements following the death of the Queen.

pic.twitter.com/fNmbbYhiuW

— Andrew Jones MP (@AJonesMP) September 8, 2022

pic.twitter.com/JjRwMrt3Tn

— Julian Smith MP (@JulianSmithUK) September 8, 2022

Such heartbreaking news.

HM Queen Elizabeth II served our nation and the Commonwealth selflessly for 70 years.

May she rest in peace.

God Save The King. https://t.co/rGHlhY8DZw

— Nigel Adams (@nadams) September 8, 2022

Church Bells will toll

Church bells across the district will toll at noon today to mark the Queen’s death. The bells will be muffled and toll for one hour.

The Church of England has sent out guidance to parish churches, chapels and cathedrals encouraging them to toll their bells or open for prayer or special services.

The North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe has issued a statement:

“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been the figurehead of our nation for over 70 years, a loyal servant who has provided stability and support to so many for so long. It is impossible to imagine life without her, and I know many will find the fact we now have to face that reality very difficult.

“Our emergency services will play a key role in the coming days in supporting our communities, and their commemorations and celebrations of Her Majesty’s life.

“My thoughts today are particularly with the Royal Family who have not just lost a leader but a mother, grandmother and great grandmother. No matter who you are or when it happens, the death of a loved one is incredibly hard, and my respects and condolences go to them.”

The Royal Hall this morning with the flag lowered at half mast

Watch: Bells toll across district to mark the Queen’s death

At midday today, bells at several of the Harrogate district’s churches rung out to mourn the Queen.

Churches including Ripon Cathedral, St Peter’s in Harrogate and St John’s in Knaresborough rung throughout the hour.

They joined with churches across the country such as Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral to pay their respects to the Monarch.

Janet Hurst was one of the bellringers in Hampsthwaite. She explained the process of ‘muffling’ the bells as part of the tribute.

“The bells are fully muffled, which only happens for the Monarch, normally it’s half-muffled… so that people can pause and pay their respects to Her Majesty.”

Harrogate district churches open for tributes, reflection and mourning

Churches across the Harrogate district are opening so people can pay tribute to the Queen and sign books of condolence. We report on what each parish has planned to allow people to mourn, reflect and celebrate her life.

Ripon

Ripon Cathedral will be the main focal point for the mourning of the Queen in the Harrogate district.

A book of condolence for the Queen opened at 10am this morning.

The cathedral will be open throughout the day for people to sign the book of condolences and pray.

There will be a special Evensong service at 5.30pm and a vigil service at 8.30pm. A specific place has also been designated outside the cathedral where people can lay flowers.

The Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson, said on the cathedral’s website:

“We are very sorry to hear of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll.

“She was one of the world’s greatest figures of our time, one who dedicated her life as monarch to the wellbeing of the people of this nation, the Commonwealth and the wider world.”

Saturday 10th September

Hourly prayers taking place on the hour

8.30am – Morning Prayer

12 noon – Holy Communion

5.30pm – Special Choral Evensong with prayers to mark the Proclamation of the King